Convention on Biological Diversity and Developing Countries

Focusing on the negotiation process leading up to the creation of the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) and the domestic implementation of this international agreement, this political science study of the negotiation process applies several perspectives drawn from international relations theories, while also examining the implementation of international environmental agreements in a developing country. The links between factors at international and domestic levels are examined, with four proposed mechanisms through which an international institution may affect domestic policies. Evidence is found that the CBD has had a beneficial impact on national biodiversity policies in the country studied, but that necessary compatible legislation is absent in developed country parties.